Members of the Ballarat Lions Club joined the Easter Bunny on its run of the children’s ward at the Ballarat Base Hospital on Sunday morning, giving the city’s sick kids a reason to smile.

Welcome cuddle: Seven-year-old Sasha Mishkinis was all smiles after receiving a visit from the Easter Bunny at the Ballarat Base Hospital on Sunday morning. Picture: Luka Kauzlaric

Children were also given handmade bunny toys to ensure the festive spirit remained long after the chocolate was gone.

Among the happy recipients was seven-year-old Sasha Mishkinis, who had admitted to hospital on Friday.

Associate nurse manager Emily Veal said while it was always hard on families when children were sick, holidays were particularly testing times.

“At a time like this they want to be surrounded by family and friends so in hospital to have any type of visitors can brighten the day and a special visitor like the Easter Bunny is even better,” Ms Veal said.

Some of Ballarat’s newest mums were also greeted with a tasty treat as the Easter Bunny did the rounds of the maternity ward.

Meanwhile on Saturday the Lions Club managed to raise more than $800 for the club’s childhood cancer research fund.